He’s Still Got the Edge

I join in the chorus of congratulations for Gordon Davidson on his 25th anniversary at the Taper and the wonderful work he’s done over the years. But I can’t understand the criteria by which he’s being measured.

On the one hand, you seem to think that the number of Tonys and number of shows he’s transferred to New York are the measure of his success. I wonder if we shouldn’t give more weight to Sylvie Drake’s point that the Taper is a regional theater with a responsibility to serve the local audience.

There have been some striking and important productions at the Taper, especially in the early years. But where are the great plays of Chekhov, Ibsen, Shaw, O’Neill, Odets, Williams or Miller?

Yes, the Taper has done some Shakespeare, an O’Casey and an occasional Shaw. I think we’re entitled to more--more great plays with fine actors, of which there are many in this town.

Perhaps Davidson is being measured by the number of Taper-to-Broadway transfers because the thrust of his work at the Taper is new plays by new playwrights. That’s important, but how about a balanced schedule of the new and the old?

Bring on the hits from New York (at the Doolittle) and bring the musicals (to the Ahmanson), but give us a chance to see some well-directed and well-acted major plays, by major playwrights, in future seasons at the Taper.

JEFFREY HAYDEN

Los Angeles